Catholic Seasons and Holidays
By Scott P. Richert, About.com Guide
Holy Days of Obligation
Learn more about the holy days of obligation, when Catholics are required to attend Mass, and find the dates of those holy days.
- Holy Days of Obligation - Definition of Holy Days of Obligation
- Holy Days of Obligation in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church
- Holy Days of Obligation in the United States
- Catholic Liturgical Calendar 2011
- Mary, Mother of God
- The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ
- Is Epiphany a Holy Day of Obligation?
- Easter 101
- The Ascension of Our Lord
- Is Ascension a Holy Day of Obligation?
- Corpus Christi
- The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- All Saints Day
- Immaculate Conception
- Christmas
- Is Annunciation a Holy Day of Obligation?
- Is Ash Wednesday a Holy Day of Obligation?
- Is Holy Thursday a Holy Day of Obligation?
- Is Good Friday a Holy Day of Obligation?
- Is Transfiguration a Holy Day of Obligation?
Moveable Feasts
Moveable feasts are holy days whose dates change from year to year, depending on the date of Easter.
Advent and Christmas
Advent is a time of spiritual preparation, both for the birth of Christ at Christmas and for His Second Coming, at the end of time. Over the centuries, the Church has developed Advent activities that help to keep us focused on renewing our spiritual life. Learn about the Advent wreath and other Advent prayers, and find Scripture readings for every day of Advent.
- What Is Advent?
- When Does Advent Start?
- When Should You Put Up Your Christmas Tree?
- When Should You Take Down Your Christmas Tree?
- Liturgical Calendar for Advent 2010
- Family Activities and Devotions for Advent
- Scripture Readings for Advent
- Advent Scripture Readings for December 17 through December 24
- Preparing for Christmas With the Advent Wreath
- How to Make an Advent Wreath
- How To Bless an Advent Wreath
- How to Light the Advent Wreath
- Advent Wreath Prayer for the First Week of Advent
- Advent Wreath Prayer for the Second Week of Advent
- Advent Wreath Prayer for the Third Week of Advent
- Advent Wreath Prayer for the Fourth Week of Advent
- The O Antiphons
- The Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
- What Is Gaudete Sunday?
- Why Do Priests Wear Purple During Advent?
Lent
What is the season of Lent? Which holy days fall in Lent? How is Lent practiced throughout Catholicism? Find out more about Lent in the Catholic liturgical calendar.
- Lent - Definition of Lent
- When Is Lent?
- When Does Lent Start?
- Catholic Liturgical Calendar for Lent 2011
- What Are the Rules for Fasting and Abstinence in the Catholic Church?
- Lenten Recipes
- Fasting: A Powerful Spiritual Tool
- Abstinence as Spiritual Discipline
- Spiritual Reading for Lent
- Tips for Lenten Reading With Your Children
- How Are the 40 Days of Lent Calculated?
- Why Don't Roman Catholics Sing the Alleluia During Lent?
- What Is Clean Monday?
- Ash Wednesday
- Is Ash Wednesday a Holy Day of Obligation?
- Can Catholics Eat Meat on Ash Wednesday?
- Holy Thursday
- Good Friday
- Is Good Friday a Holy Day of Obligation?
- What Is Laetare Sunday?
Easter
Many people think that Christmas is the most important day in the Catholic liturgical calendar, but from the earliest days of the Church, Easter has been considered the central Christian feast. Learn more about Easter and the traditions and customs surrounding the holiday.
- Why Did Easter Come Before Passover in 2008?
- What Is the Easter Duty?
- The Easter Homily of Saint John Chrysostom
Quick Dates 2010
Find the dates of holy days of obligation and other important feasts for 2010.
- When Is Epiphany 2010?
- When Is Mardi Gras 2010?
- When Does Lent 2010 Begin?
- When Is Ash Wednesday 2010?
- When Is Palm Sunday 2010?
- When Is Holy Thursday 2010?
- When Is Good Friday 2010?
- When Is Easter 2010?
- When Is Divine Mercy Sunday 2010?
- When Is Ascension 2010?
- When Is Pentecost 2010?
- When Is Trinity Sunday 2010?
- When Is the Feast of the Sacred Heart 2010?
- When Is Transfiguration 2010?
- When Is Assumption 2010?
- When Does Advent 2010 Begin?
- When Is Christmas Day 2010?
Quick Dates 2011
Find the dates of holy days of obligation and other important feasts for 2011.
- When Is Epiphany 2011?
- When Is Mardi Gras 2011?
- When Does Lent 2011 Begin?
- When Is Ash Wednesday 2011?
- When Is Palm Sunday 2011?
- When Is Holy Thursday 2011?
- When Is Good Friday 2011?
- When Is Easter 2011?
- When Is Divine Mercy Sunday 2011?
- When Is Ascension 2011?
- When Is Pentecost 2011?
- When Is Trinity Sunday 2011?
- When Is Corpus Christi 2011?
- When Is the Feast of the Sacred Heart 2011?
- When Is Transfiguration 2011?
- When Is Assumption 2011?
- When Is All Saints Day 2011?
- When Does Advent 2011 Begin?
- When Is Immaculate Conception 2011?
- When Is Christmas Day 2011?
Quick Dates 2012
Find the dates of holy days of obligation and other important feasts for 2012.